For discussion

June 18, 2013 | Feature
By Barb Draper |

1. How has your church changed since the 1960s and ’70s? Have there been major changes in the church structures and programs? Do congregational leaders feel hopeful or anxious about the future? Are the structures and programs sustainable or does it feel as though it is time for a major shake-up?

2. Whitewater Mennonite Church in Manitoba suspended its constitution in 2010. Is that something other congregations should try? What are the signs that a church’s constitution is hampering its mission? Do you agree with Erwin Warkentin that churches have suffered from too much corporate structure?

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of fluid and flexible church structures, rather than formal committees with clearly mandated responsibilities? Who holds the reins of power if there is no formal structure? How can formal structure inhibit the work of the Holy Spirit? Does it matter if non-members take roles of responsibility?

4. What are the signs that it is time for a church committee or program to be dropped? Do you agree with Stuart Murray that “[t]he Mennonite church community is quite healthy”? What advice would you give to the Mennonite Church Canada task force that is looking at the future of MC Canada structures and programs?

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